After a new long-range aviation division was added to Kaohsiung (there were originally two, one was transferred after completing the first air strike mission, but two were quickly transferred back), Xue Changkong realized that the Supreme Command would next There were bigger moves in the Pacific direction. When Tielin Fei flew over, because he knew the seriousness of delegating members of the Supreme Command of Tielin Fei's level to local places, Xue Changkong knew that the Americans were finished.
"The U.S. Pacific Fleet has not separated from the Japanese Combined Fleet yet. It should be waiting for a better time. Once we have completed the preparations, we will wait for the order to attack." When accompanying Tielin Fei to the aviation building, Xue Changkong said to Iron Forest Trail.
"Reconnaissance is twenty hours."
"Yes, just in case, we have increased the reconnaissance radius. Now we will dispatch three reconnaissance planes every half hour, including one in the direction of Palau, one in the direction of Guam, and one in the northeast of Guam. .”
"The junior commander issued a death order. This time, all American aircraft carriers must be destroyed. Even if they cannot be sunk, they must lose power. This will be the 'sink it' we give to the Americans."
"With three long-range aviation divisions, there should be no problem."
"It's not a should, it's a must."
The spying of Chinese reconnaissance planes aroused Li Mei's vigilance. However, Li Mei could not distinguish clearly whether these reconnaissance planes were sent by the Chinese fleet or came from other directions. Li Mei seemed careless, but it is not hard to blame him. , although the previous night attacks by China's flying fortress cluster caused considerable damage to them, it also seemed to confirm the following point, that is, horizontal bombing can damage the combat power of the US aircraft carrier, but it cannot sink the US aircraft carrier, so it is relatively difficult to sink the US aircraft carrier. Li Mei was worried that the torpedo planes of the Chinese fleet would be better than the flying fortress.
As Xue Changkong said, Li Mei was indeed waiting for a better opportunity to escape. He thought that after taking the initiative through two previous raids, the Chinese Pacific Fleet would definitely take the initiative when the Malan Battle fell into a stalemate. , in his words to Yamaguchi Wenduo: Although the Chinese fleet severely damaged us before, it did not lay the foundation for victory. According to the information you provided, the outcome of the current Malan battle is still uncertain. Since the Chinese have already achieved victory at sea. Taking the lead, of course they will try to transfer this advantage to land. I firmly believe that within a week at the latest, the Chinese will not be able to help but take the initiative.
Have Chen Ce and Bai Chongxi considered transferring their maritime advantages to land to provide assistance in the Battle of Malan? The answer is yes. The second Pacific War provoked by the Americans was not a pure naval battle. The reason why the Americans and Japanese wanted The purpose of seizing control of the Pacific is to completely drive Chinese forces out of the Pacific. Sooner or later, Americans will join the land battle in Southeast Asia. The U.S. Pacific Fleet is a small force that cannot be defeated. This has been verified, so , after severely damaging the US Pacific Fleet, in order to consolidate the fruits of victory, in Bai Chongxi's view, on the one hand, the Chinese Pacific Fleet should pursue the victory and not give the Americans a chance to start over; on the other hand, the Third Expeditionary Army should seize this opportunity, Give the Japanese a head-on blow on land and make the situation in Southeast Asia more favorable to China before the Americans intervene.
The proactive attack by the Japanese Combined Fleet once paralyzed Chen Ce and Bai Chongxi, making them feel that the Americans and Japanese were "jumping over the wall". However, they soon discovered that the Japanese attack was more thunderous than raindrops, let alone breaking through the Pacific Fleet. Bai Chongxi thought a little more and couldn't help but wonder if the Americans and Japanese were brewing some conspiracy.
While Bai Chongxi was thinking about it, the Supreme Command sent the latest instructions to expose the true intentions of the Americans and Japanese, "The Americans want to withdraw eastward, so they have a good plan." After learning the truth, Bai Chongxi first marveled at the Americans' fantastic ideas. , then, after discussing with Chen Ce, they felt that with three long-range aviation divisions looking after the Americans' retreat route, they did not have to worry about the Americans actually escaping. Their mentality changed and they were no longer in a hurry to "expand their lead."
"For the Americans, the best time to retreat eastward is naturally when we take the initiative to launch an attack. What if we just keep hanging on like this?"
"Of course the longer it takes, the better it is for us. We can still get supplies from Kaohsiung. Where will the Americans and Japanese go to supply? The only thing to worry about is the situation in Malan. If the Americans really launch an attack from the southern front, the third expedition will be Can the army group resist it?"
"If the Americans want to launch an attack from the south, they can only attack Sumatra first. Sumatra was previously run by General Bai. Based on my understanding of her, she must have made a thorough arrangement before going to Ryukyu to take office. For the time being, we should not worry about Malan. War situation."
"Then delay."
"drag."
After discussing with Bai Chongxi, Chen Ce and Bai Chongxi finally decided to adopt the procrastination strategy. It took only three days for the Pacific Fleet to implement this strategy. Sure enough, they received good news from the defenders of Sumatra Island.
The Americans made a mistake here, or the Americans simply did not learn from their previous experience of dealing with the Chinese army. The Americans assembled a five-division US-Australia coalition force and launched it from the Indian Ocean with the support of a mixed fleet. Siberu Island in Sumatra launched an attack. Before the attack, the horn was blown loudly, but the result was quite disastrous. The Americans attacked for two days in a row, and even at the cost of casualties of one Marine brigade, they did not even reach the beach of Sibilu Island. They were unable to board it, and when the Chinese submarine force arrived from the Karachi Naval Base to join the battle, the Americans could no longer stay at sea and had to retreat to Jakarta first.
Koizumi Toshiichiro was certainly not satisfied with the American attack on Sumatra, but after learning about the true battle losses of the Americans and the fact that the Americans had no intention of stopping, he thought about it again and again, and finally restrained himself. Unhappy, he ordered Yamaguchi to help the US Pacific Fleet withdraw eastward as soon as possible.
Although the battle on Sibilu Island came and went quickly, it was not the end but just the beginning. The Chinese defenders of Sumatra Island were still the marines from Karachi left by Bai Liusu. Their establishment was only two divisions plus one. The Independent Brigade felt that the Americans would definitely use troops against Sumatra next, and Sumatra must not be lost. After consulting Gu Zhutong's opinion, Ouyang Yun sent a telegram to Stern, asking him to send Three Jewish divisions reinforced the Malay Peninsula, mainly strengthening the defense of Sumatra.